‘He was becoming irritable ... it was disturbing’

MAIRÉAD Lawless’ pregnancy in 2009 came in the middle of the swine flu clamour as debate raged on the merits of vaccination.

She was prioritised when jabs were being doled out, as research had shown that pregnant women who contracted swine flu were at increased risk of severe disease.

She was also advised to have her family immunised. It was early 2010 before this was done because other family members were not considered “at risk”, including six-year-old Alex.